For all of the buzz that's been rightfully bestowed upon Mariners top pitching prospect Kade Anderson, let's not overlook their No. 2 pitching prospect Ryan Sloan, because he is having a fantastic season as well. That continued Saturday.
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Sloan struck out nine batters over 5 2/3 innings and allowed only one run in Double-A Arkansas' 6-2 victory over Tulsa at ONEOK Field. Sloan's nine K's -- six of which were looking -- gave him 100 for the season against just 14 walks. Sloan, the No. 3 pitching prospect in MLB and the No. 8 prospect overall, walked one batter Saturday and has issued only two free passes over his past seven starts, spanning 35 innings.
The second-round Draft pick in 2024 has also been stingy when it comes to giving up runs; he has permitted two earned runs or fewer in seven of his past eight outings, shaving his ERA from 5.07 to a much more palatable 3.75 over 81 2/3 innings.
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Sloan comes with three plus pitches: A fastball that can reach the upper-90s, a changeup that fades well and a nasty slider. His heater and changeup have received a 60 scouting grade while his slider is considered a 55-grade pitch, but it was that offering that was responsible for the majority of his strikeouts versus the Drillers.